Evans: Looking for cup glory

Evans reflects on Harlequins' 2008 Heineken Cup triumphs over the glamourous French outfit as two of the biggest highlights of his career.

Harlequins announced themselves on the European stage by beating Stade 15-10 in Paris before snatching a 19-17 win at The Stoop in one of the great European finishes.

Stade led at the end of normal time but, in atrocious conditions, Harlequins went through a remarkable 29 phases before Evans slotted the winning drop-goal.

The former New Zealand fly-half knows another victory over Stade in Cardiff will be Harlequins' ticket back to the Heineken Cup big time.

"Those two games would rank as highlights of my career," said Evans, who won 16 caps for the All Blacks and played at a World Cup.

"The second game is one of those ridiculous games you can't explain. Every time I go home I sit down with my dad to watch it and I don't know how we did it.

"It is special, one of those freak games.

"For me the first game was more satisfying. We went there as underdogs and no-one gave us a chance in front of a packed Stade de France and with all the glitz and glamour that Stade put on.

"That was such a satisfying moment, it really put us on the European map. It was like the Munster game this year."

Harlequins finished a disappointing seventh in the Aviva Premiership, missing out on automatic Heineken Cup qualification.

But they booked their Challenge Cup final place by becoming only the second team to beat Munster at Thomand Park in European rugby.

Harlequins director of rugby Conor O'Shea called for a repeat performance.

"That is certainly the aim. This is a chance to win silverware, it is a massive opportunity," said Harlequins director of rugby Conor O'Shea.

"We know they are a team of incredible individuals and it is a massive ask but we know we can be a pretty difficult side to play against."